Parenting Challenges

How to Get Kids to Turn Screens Off and Turn On to Life

When you were young, before you had 24-hour access to a cell phone, social media or computer, what did you do? How much time you spend each day outside, doing something physical, or with other kids? Did you ever read a book under a shade tree, fall asleep, and take a nap in the breeze? …

How to Get Kids to Turn Screens Off and Turn On to Life Read More »

Table of Contents – The Parent’s Toolshop® book

Acknowledgments ……………………………………………………………………………….. vi-viii Introducing Your Toolshop Tour Guide…………………………………………….. ix-xiv Chapter 1: Touring The Parent’s Toolshop……………………………………………….. 1 Another Parenting Book? • What The Parent’s Toolshop Does • Suggestions for Use STEP A: PREVENTION TOOLBOX……………………………………………………………….. 19 Chapter 2: Foundation-Building Toolset…………………………………………………… 21 Establishing a Common Language • What Are Our Parenting Goals? • Parenting   Styles • Parenting as …

Table of Contents – The Parent’s Toolshop® book Read More »

How to Talk to Your Children About the Coronavirus without Scaring or Stressing Them

By now, most school-aged children have heard about the coronavirus, whether by overhearing the news, parents talking to others, other kids at school, or from school administrators when they temporarily close the school. Even homeschooling parents must address why they aren’t visiting libraries and other public places and events they frequent during homeschool activities. Everyone …

How to Talk to Your Children About the Coronavirus without Scaring or Stressing Them Read More »

Using Family Councils to Problem-Solve, Make Decisions & Build Closer Relationships

 Fred and Tammy are both hesitant about using family councils, but for different reasons. When Fred was growing up, they had family meetings where the kids would vote on decisions. Sometimes he and his two siblings were able to “stack the vote” against their parents, so they’d be sure to get what they wanted. Other …

Using Family Councils to Problem-Solve, Make Decisions & Build Closer Relationships Read More »

How Do You Respond To Passive Aggressive Behavior? Tips For Dealing With Difficult People

Your mother-in-law suggested doing a gift exchange this year, at her house. Her instructions we were to give gifts only to the person whose name you drew. Any gifts you wanted to give to other family members we to be given another time, just with those people. As the gift exchange gifts were being passed …

How Do You Respond To Passive Aggressive Behavior? Tips For Dealing With Difficult People Read More »

How Do You Teach Effective Communication Skills To Your Children?

“How was your day?” Rebecca asked her twelve-year-old when he came home from school. “Ok,” he responds. “Did you learn anything new today?” she asks. “Nope,” her son plainly says while staring out the window. “Well, what did you do today?” she asks. “Nothing,” her son responds in a tone of voice that was clearly …

How Do You Teach Effective Communication Skills To Your Children? Read More »

Teen Dating: When Does Puppy Love Become More Serious?

While doing the laundry, Kelly discovers a folded up note in the pocket of her thirteen year old daughter’s jeans. She unfolds it and sees that it’s a note that a boy named Bobby was supposed to receive, but never did. Kelly folds it back up and sets it on her daughter’s dresser. Later that …

Teen Dating: When Does Puppy Love Become More Serious? Read More »

Can Road Trip Games be the Cure for Boredom?

Stacey and her family cram their van with suitcases, snacks, and sunscreen, as they get ready for their anticipated vacation to Disney World. Ten minutes down the street Stacey hears the inevitable “I’m bored” from her four-year-old son. Stacey realizes this is going to be a long ten hour drive for her and her family. …

Can Road Trip Games be the Cure for Boredom? Read More »

How Can My Children Do Extra-Curricular Activities Without Creating More Family Stress?

Kari pulls into the fast food restaurant’s drive-thru for the third time this week to get her and her three children dinner before she drives her youngest to baseball practice. She almost never has time to cook and meal for her family, anymore, between soccer and baseball practice for her two sons and dance and …

How Can My Children Do Extra-Curricular Activities Without Creating More Family Stress? Read More »